“Then Jesus said to the man who had invited Him, ‘When you host a dinner or a banquet, do not invite your friends or brothers or relatives or rich neighbours. Otherwise, they may invite you in return, and you will be repaid. But when you host a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind, and you will be blessed. Since they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous’” (Luke 14:12-14)

It's commonplace that when men host events, they would invite those of a similar social status, friends, relatives or neighbours, etc. Now, Jesus doesn’t say it’s wrong to do so, yet He teaches us a profound insight between ‘getting repaid’ and ‘being blessed.’ He said in Luke 6:33: “And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do that.” That’s getting repaid, but there isn’t a credit note. He says we will be blessed when we consider those who cannot return our gestures such as the poor, crippled, lame or the blind. Proverbs 31 speaks about the woman who’s worth is far above rubies: “She opens her arms to the poor and reaches out her hands to the needy.” It was such a gesture that attracted God’s mercy towards Dorcas (Acts 9). When Peter arrived, the widows began “showing him the coats and other clothes Dorcas had made for them” (Acts 9:39).

2 Corinthians 9 says: “For your generosity to them (needy) and to all believers will prove that you are obedient to the Good News of Christ. And they will pray for you with deep affection because of the overflowing grace God has given to you. Thank God for this gift too wonderful for words!”

BeEncouraged❤️ Freely received. Freely share